Background

I am a local primary school teacher with well over 10 years of experience teaching in primary schools within the Bundaberg area. I have always had a strong passion for engaging students in learning through the use of technology. Though when I transitioned from the classroom to a technologies specialist teacher four years ago, robotics was able to take this to a whole new level.

For the last 3 years I have been running a school based robotics program preparing students to compete in Regional, State and National competitions in a variety of different events. During this time I have seen the true value of real world, project based STEM learning. When children are engaged and passionate about their project, they are constantly setting their own educational goals while directing their own learning to achieve them. They forever challenge themselves to bigger and more complex ideas, all while developing life-long skills of persistence, resilience, teamwork, problem solving and time management.

A New Challenge

Upon attending the QLD State RoboCup Championships in 2024, I noticed the growing abundance of competitors competing for private robotics clubs from SE Qld. The idea grew and grew over the coming weeks as I worked on how to engage more children in the Bundaberg area in these highly rewarding experiences. As a result, I took my first step out of the classroom and into the world of business. Jnr Robotics Academy was born.

Goals

Through each JRA experience, it is my goal to provide highly engaging, hands-on experiences in a hope to inspire a passion for innovation and creativity while also exploring the possibilities of robotics. I want participants to challenge themselves, take risks with ideas and build their own resilience while adapting in the face of challenges. Most of all, I want kids to have fun!

Matt Hollett

Jnr Robotics Academy Owner and Head Mentor